Prospecting native and analogous peptides with anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential derived from the trypsin inhibitor purified from tamarind seeds.

The study aimed to prospect in silico native and analogous peptides with anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential derived from the trypsin inhibitor purified from tamarind seeds (TTIp). From the most stable theoretical model of TTIp (TTIp 56/287), in silico cleavage was performed for the theoretical identification of native peptides and generation of analogous peptides. The anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential was investigated through molecular dynamics (MD) simulation between the peptides and binding sites of transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), responsible for the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the host cell. Five native and analogous peptides were obtained and validated through chemical and physical parameters. The best interaction potential energy (IPE) occurred between TMPRSS2 and one of the native peptides obtained by cleavage with trypsin and its analogous peptide. Thus, both peptides showed many hydrophobic residues, a common physical-chemical property among the peptides that inhibit the entry of enveloped viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, present in specific drugs to treat COVID-19.

Prospecting in silico antibacterial activity of a peptide from trypsin inhibitor isolated from tamarind seed.

Bacterial infections have become a global concern, stimulating the growing demand for natural and biologically safe therapeutic agents with antibacterial action. This study was evaluated the genotoxicity of the trypsin inhibitor isolated from tamarind seeds (TTI) and the antibacterial effect of TTI theoric model, number 56, and conformation number 287 (TTIp 56/287) and derived peptides in silico. TTI (0.3 and 0.6 mg.mL-1) did not cause genotoxicity in cells (p > 0.05). In silico, a greater interaction of TTIp 56/287 with the Gram-positive membrane (GP) was observed, with an interaction potential energy (IPE) of -1094.97 kcal.mol-1. In the TTIp 56/287-GP interaction, the Arginine, Threonine (Thr), and Lysine residues presented lower IPE. In molecular dynamics (MD), Peptidotrychyme59 (TVSQTPIDIPIGLPVR) showed an IPE of -518.08 kcal.mol-1 with the membrane of GP bacteria, and the Thr and Arginine residues showed the greater IPE. The results highlight new perspectives on TTI and its derived peptides antibacterial activity.

Preparações culinárias elaboradas com farinha das sementes de melão cantaloupe: estudo piloto / Culinary preparations elabored with flour from cantaloupe melon seeds: pilot study / Preparados culinarios elaborados con harina de semillas de melón de cantaloupe): estudio piloto

Introdução:O Brasil está no ranking dos 10 países que mais desperdiçam alimentos no mundo, é também o 3º maior produtor de frutas. As cascas e sementes, que são desprezadas, podem ser utilizadas na alimentação por meio do aproveitamento integral de alimentos. Objetivo:Verificar características organolépticas de preparações culinárias elaboradas com farinha das sementes de melão cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatus). Metodologia:O trabalho trata-se de um estudo piloto, em que foi elaborada farinha de sementes do melão utilizada na produção de dois coprodutos, bolo simples e torta de frango, elaborados com diferentes percentuais de farinha das sementes, sendo de 25%, 50% e 75% adicionada à farinha de trigo enriquecida com ferro e ácido fólico. Posteriormente foi realizada degustação das amostras para realização da avaliação das características organolépticas dos coprodutos elaborados. Resultados:As preparações feitas com farinha cuja constituição possuía 50% de farinha de sementes foram as comentadas na avaliação das características organolépticas, visto que eram mais palatáveis, em virtude da menor quantidade de resíduos, bem como apresentaram aroma e sabor mais agradáveis quando comparadas às amostras de 75% de farinha de sementes. Conclusões:Diante dos resultados observou-se que os participantes optaram pelos produtos que possuíam quantidade intermediária de resíduos de melão nas preparações, sendo os produtos cuja concentração era 50% de farinha de sementes, visto que não dificultavam a mastigação e deglutição, bem como não tiveram alterações significativas nas características organolépticas como aroma e sabor. Espera-se que em breve com a volta das atividades presenciais, a análise sensorial com provadores não treinados seja realizada para continuidade e conclusão do estudo (AU).

Introduction:Brazil is in the ranking of the 10 countries that most waste food in the world, it is also the 3rd largest fruit producer. The husks and seeds that are neglected can be used in food through the full use of food. Objective:To verify organoleptic characteristics of culinary preparations made with flour from cantaloupe melon seeds (Cucumis melo L. var. Reticulatus).Methodology:The work is a pilot study in which cantaloupe melon melon seed meal flour was used to produce two co-products, simple cake and chicken pie, made with different percentages of flour of the seeds, 25%, 50% and 75% being added to wheat flour enriched with iron and folic acid. Subsequently, samples were tasted to evaluate the organoleptic characteristics of the elaborated by-products.Results:The preparations made with flour whose constitution had 50% of seed meal were those mentioned in the evaluation of the organoleptic characteristics, since they were more palatable, due to the lower amount of residues, as well as presenting a more pleasant aroma and flavor when compared to 75% samples. of seed meal. Conclusions:In view of the results, it was observed that the participants opted for products that had an intermediate amount of melon residues in the preparations, being the products whose concentration was 50% ofseed meal, since they did not hinder chewing and swallowing, as well as had no significant changes in organoleptic characteristics such as aroma and flavor. It is expected that soon with the return of face-to-face activities, sensory analysis with untrained tasters will be carried out for the continuity and conclude of the study (AU).

Introducción: Brasil está en el ranking de los 10 países que más desperdician alimentos en el mundo, también es el 3er productor de frutas más grande. Las cáscaras y semillas que se descuidan se pueden utilizar en los alimentos mediante el uso completo de los alimentos.Objetivo: Verificar las características organolépticas de preparaciones culinarias elaboradas con harina de semillas de melón cantalupo (Cucumis melo L. var. Reticulatus).Metodología: El trabajo es un estudio piloto en el que se utilizó harina de melón cantalupo harina de semilla de melón para producir dos coproductos, bizcocho simple y pastel de pollo, elaborado con diferentes porcentajes de harina de las semillas, 25% , 50% y 75% se agrega a la harina de trigo enriquecida con hierro y ácido fólico. Posteriormente, se cantaron muestras para evaluar las características organolépticas de los subproductos elaborados. Resultados: Las preparaciones elaboradas con harina cuya constitución tenía 50% de harina de semillas fueron las mencionadas en la evaluación de las características organolépticas, ya que resultaron más palatables, por la menor cantidad de residuos, además de presentar un aroma y sabor más agradable al compararse con 75% de muestras de harina de semillas. Conclusiones:A la vista de los resultados, se observó que los participantes optaron por productos que presentaban una cantidad intermedia de residuos de melón en las preparaciones, siendo los productos cuya concentración era del 50% de harina de semillas, ya que no dificultaban la masticación yla deglución, así como no tuvo cambios significativos en las características organolépticas como aroma y sabor. Se espera que próximamente con el regreso de las actividades presenciales se realice un análisis sensorial com catadores no capacitados para continuar y concluir el estudio (AU).

Correlação entre os índices antropométricos e pressão arterial de adolescentes e adultos jovens em um município do nordeste brasileiro / Correlation between anthropometric indices and blood pressure in adolescents and young adults in a municipality of northeast Brazil

Introdução:A Hipertensão Arterial Sistêmica tem apresentado alta mortalidade em todo o mundo, associada a fatores de risco cardiovascular como o excesso de peso e a obesidade abdominal.Objetivo:Avaliar os índices antropométricos e pressão arterial em adolescentes e adultos jovens do município de Santa Cruz-RN.Método:Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo, do tipo transversal, realizado com 86 indivíduos com idade média de 19,0 ± 0,97 anos. Foram avaliados o Índice deMassa Corporal (IMC), Relação Cintura Estatura (RCE), Relação Cintura Quadril (RCQ), Índice de Conicidade (IC) e Pressão Arterial (PA). Os dados foram analisados no programa SPSS versão 23.0, apresentados em percentual, média e desvio padrão. O teste T deStudentfoi aplicado para avaliar a diferença entre as médias, a correlação entre medidas antropométricas e a pressão arterial pela correlação de Pearson.Resultados:A prevalência maior foi do sexo feminino, 81,4%. A obesidade esteve mais presente nos meninos adolescentes do que nas meninas, 33,3 e 13,9% respectivamente, bem como nos adultos jovens 28,6% em homens e 11,8% em mulheres. A RCE se mostrou mais elevada nas meninas e mulheres adultas (0,46 ± 0,07, 0,50 ± 0,08). Em contrapartida, a RCQ e IC se mostraram maiores nos meninos(0,79 ± 0,06; 1,12 ± 0,74) e nos homens adultos(0,82 ± 0,09; 1,15 ± 0,12) respectivamente. Em ambos os grupos houve correlação positiva moderada entre o IMC e a RCE com a PA (p<0,05).Conclusão:Os índices antropométricosapresentaram correlação positiva com a elevação da pressão arterial, destacando-se o IMC e a RCE nos adolescentes e adultos jovens (AU).

Introduction:Systemic arterial hypertension has presented high mortality worldwide, associated with cardiovascular risk factors such as overweight and abdominal obesity.Objective:To evaluate the anthropometric indexes and blood pressure in adolescents and young adults in the municipality of Santa Cruz-RN.Methods:This is a cross-sectional quantitative study of 86 individuals with a mean age of 19.0 ± 0.97 years. Body mass index (BMI), Waist Stature Ratio (WSR), Waist Hip Ratio (WHR), Conicity Index (CI) and Blood Pressure (BP) were evaluated. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0, presented in percentage, mean and standard deviation. The T test was applied to evaluate the difference between the means, the correlation between anthropometric measures and blood pressure by the Pearson correlation.Results:The highest prevalence was female, 81.4%. Obesity was more present in adolescent boys than in girls, 33.3 and 13.9% respectively, as well as in young adults, 28.6% in men and 11.8% in women. The WSR was higher in girls and adult women (0.46 ± 0.07, 0.50 ± 0.08). On the other hand, WHR and CI were higher in boys(0.79 ± 0.06, 1.12 ± 0.74)and in adult males (0.82 ± 0.09, 1.15 ± 0.12) respectively. In both groups there was a moderate positive correlation between BMI and WSR with BP (p <0.05).Conclusion:The anthropometric indices showed a positive correlation with the elevation of blood pressure, especially BMI, WSR in adolescents and young adults (AU).

Adipocytes and intestinal epithelium dysfunctions linking obesity to inflammation induced by high glycemic index pellet-diet in Wistar rats.

We investigated the inflammatory effect of a pellet-diet with high glycemic index and load (HGLI) on the histological organization of adipocytes, intestinal epithelium, and fat in liver and pancreas in adult male Wistar rats. Two groups (n=10) received for 17 weeks: (1) HGLI diet or (2) Standard diet (Labina®). Histological analyses of adipose tissue, jejunum, liver, and pancreas were performed. Stereology analysis, visceral adiposity index, gene expression, and immunohistochemistry of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in visceral adipose tissue and plasma TNF-α were also assessed. The HGLI diet-induced hypertrophy of adipocytes with adipocyte volume density equal to 97.0%, cross-sectional area of adipocytes equivalent to 1387 µm² and a total volume of adipocytes of 6.97 cm³ an elevation of 8%, 25%, and 58%, respectively. Furthermore, the HGLI diet increased liver and pancreatic fat deposition, altered and inflamed the intestinal epithelia, and increased TNF-α gene expression (P=0.014) with a positive immunostaining in visceral adipose tissue and high plasma TNF-α in comparison with standard diet. The results suggest that this diet was able to generate changes commonly caused to solid diets with high fat or fructose-rich beverages. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature concerning the properties of low-cost, sucrose-rich pellet-diet presenting high glycemic index and high glycemic load efficient on the development of obesity complications in Wistar rats that were subjected to diet-induced obesity. Therefore, the HGLI pellet-diet may be considered an effective tool to be used by the scientific community in experimental research.